Copy of a paper, intitled, “Subjects for Annual Prizes at the Orphan-house, Bethesda College,” in the hand-writing of Mr. Whitefield, inclosed with and referred to in his Will[¹].
[¹] “Whatever profits may arise from the sale of my books, or any manuscripts, that I may leave behind, I give and bequeath —— towards paying off my arrears that may be due on the account of the Orphan-house academy, or for Annual Prizes, as a reward for the best three Orations that shall be made in English, on the subjects mentioned in a paper annexed to this Will.”
Subjects for Annual Prizes at the Orphan-house, Bethesda College.
ON every 27th of December, the Founder’s birth-day,—an Oration on the Mercy of God, in preparing Habitations and Places of Education for poor Orphans, “In thee the fatherless find mercy,” by an Orphan.
Another on our Lord’s Nativity,—by an Orphan.
On the Anniversary, March 25,—Orations on the benefit of erecting, founding, and contributing towards Seminaries of sound Learning, and religious Education.—On the Benefit of an Union between Great Britain and her Colonies.—The Rise and Progress of the Colony of Georgia.—The Rise and Progress of Commerce and Religion in the other American Colonies,—by Orphans or Students.
On the 5th of November,—an Oration on the glorious Revolution, and the infinite Mercy of God, in delivering Great Britain from Popish Tyranny and arbitrary Power, by Orphan or Student.
On Easter Monday,—an Oration on the Resurrection,—by Orphan or Student.
On Whitsunday,—an Oration on the Descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles,—by Orphan or Student.
All the Exercises to be closed with an Application, Exhortation, and Prayer, by the Master of the College.